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Archived Match Reports U13's [Mar 08 To Apr 08]

16 Mar 08, Thatto Heath Crusaders v's Halton F H

23 Mar 08, NO GAME - EASTER WEEKEND

30 Mar 08, ?

6 Apr 08, Wigan St Cuthberts v Halton F H

13 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Thatto Heath Crusaders

20 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Wigan St Judes FRIENDLY

27 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Orrell St James

29 June 08, WIGAN RUGBY LEAGUE FESTIVAL

16 Mar 08, Thatto Heath Crusaders v's Halton F H

The HFH U13’s showed tremendous spirit to fight back and claim this victory after a slow start, in a game marred by an ugly brawl during the second half.

The Crusaders started the stronger and were two tries to the good in the first five minutes.

Sam Osbourne pulled one back on ten minutes, crashing over from short range but Thatto continued to press and were rewarded with another try and a penalty for offside to lead 16 - 04.

Hornets realised it was time to take the game to the home side and started to turn the tide. From a scrum, Dean Ainsworth found Alex Clare who finished superbly out wide. The conversion attempt was just missed to leave the half-time score at 16 – 08 to the home side.

The second period began with a more determined effort from the Hornets and it paid dividends with a four try haul coupled with a defensive performance that kept the Crusaders scoreless.

Alex Clare was the first to go over from eighty metres, bursting through strongly and leaving defenders in his wake to go under the posts.

The Hornets then hit the front for the first time when Dean Ainsworth fooled the oncoming defence, dummied through, and left the full back flat-footed to score. Both tries were converted by Tom Murtha.

Alex Clare registered his hat-trick after a great kick from Tom Murtha.

The comeback was complete when Murtha scored another try after a good run from Alex Clare. Wayne Lawless was unlucky with the conversion attempt.

Alex Clare claimed the MOTM with Dean Ainsworth and Sam Osbourne sharing the Coaches’ Award.

Big wraps too for Conah Keenan who was terrific in both attack and defence.

Tries Scored:
Alex Clare – 3
Sam Osbourne, Dean Ainsworth and Tom Murtha – 1 each

Conversions:
Tom Murtha – 2

Awards:
Man of the Match: Alex Clare

Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC
Coaches Award: Dean Ainsworth and Sam Osbourne

Final Score:
THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS (U13’s) 16 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U13’s) 28

HFH U13’s Team:
O.Pettigan, L. Mercer, L.Jones, J.Wood, W. Lawless, T.Murtha, D.Ainsworth, S.Osbourne, J.Kelly, A.Murthy, C.Keenan, M.Dyas, A.Clare (capt).

23 Mar 08, NO GAME - EASTER WEEKEND

NO GAME - EASTER WEEKEND

30 Mar 08, ?

Awaiting information.

6 Apr 08, Wigan St Cuthberts v Halton F H

Overnight snow nearly put the blockers on this fixture but luckily the sun produced a thaw as HFH U13’s registered their third win against a gallant but outgunned Wigan side.

Alex Clare opened the scoring racing in from fifty metres after he linked-up with Dean Ainsworth in the middle. Tom Murtha converted.

Mitchell Dyas scored his first try for the club minutes later powering over the line with defenders unable to stop his surge. The goal kick was unsuccessful.

WSC reduced the deficit with a four pointer after a series of penalties for offside. Tom Murtha scored in the dying seconds of the first half with a fine solo effort from just inside his own half. Again the kick was missed and the half time score remained at 04 - 14.

The second period began with both sides testing each other but it was the Hornets who increased their lead after another Ainsworth - Clare combination with the latter crossing to the right of the uprights to claim his second try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The Hornets lost possession from the restart and WSC took advantage to gain some decent field position but heroic defence kept the home side out on several occasions. A forced error by WSC relieved the pressure and from the resulting scrum the ball was collected by Jonny Wood who raced ninety five metres to score a terrific try, Dean Ainsworth added the extras from in front of the posts.

The Hornets increased their lead further still when Dean Ainsworth fooled the Wigan defence from a set piece move and scored under the sticks with Liam Mercer adding the extras to take the score to 30 - 04.

Tom Murtha was unlucky not to score his second but stepped over the dead ball line trying to improve the angle for the kick.

The Hornets seemed to relax in defence and a succession of penalties for off side opened the door for the home side who showed great spirit to hit back and score the last three tries in the final ten minutes.

This was a workman like performance from the Hornets with Alex Clare named Man-of the-Match, Dean Ainsworth Coaches Award closely followed by Conah Keenan, Tom Murtha and Jonny Wood.

There were much improved performances from Mitchell Dyas, Tom Walters, Joe Kelly and Owen Pettigan had another solid performance at full back and with two forwards missing from the team Matty Freeman ably deputised.

Tries Scored:
Alex Clare – 2
Mitchell Dyas, Tom Murtha, Jonny Wood and Dean Ainsworth – 1 each

Conversions:
Tom Murtha – 2

Awards:
Man of the Match: Alex Clare
Top Tackler: TBA
Most Improved: TBA
Coaches Award: Dean Ainsworth

Final Score:
WIGAN ST CUTHBERTS’S (U13’s) 18 verses HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U13’s) 30

HFH U13’s Team:
TBA

13 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Thatto Heath Crusaders

HFH U13’s produced their biggest win of the 2007/08 campaign and possibly a record score for this age group, which is just reward for a collection of players who were thrown together to save the team at the beginning of the season.

Conah Keenan produced his best display so far notching at hat-trick and deservedly winning the “Coaches Award”, whilst Alex Clare’s “Man-Of-The Match” performance included an astonishing six tries.

The first half was just four minutes old when Dean Ainsworth put Conah Keenan in for the first try and it was conah Keenan again who romped in less than a minute later straight from the restart.

Thatto showed some resistance and started to hold their own but were unable to stop Alex Clare scoring from long range. However, the visitors were rewarded with a try by the Scrum Half, after a jinking run close to the line.

Alex Clare grabbed his second after good hands from Tom Murtha and Conah Keenan.

Tom Murtha was involved again as Dean Ainsworth scorched in under the sticks on the stroke of half time and Liam Mercers’ conversion goal stretched the lead to 28 - 06.

The second half began with an Alex Clare try after a hazy Tom Murtha run and Wayne Lawless added the extras.

Alex Clare added another two to his tally, one a fine ninety metre effort.

Conah Keenan made sure his name was in the papers as he completed his hat trick with a try, again from the restart.

Liam Mercer wrapped up the scoring by converting Alex Clare’s sixth try after a good combination from C Ritchley and Thomas Walters.

This was an all-round team effort with every player gave a really good account of themselves.

Tries Scored:
Alex Clare – 6
Conah Keenan - 3
Dean Ainsworth – 1

Conversions:
Tom Murtha, Liam Mercer, and C Lark – 2 each
Wayne Lawless and Dean Ainsworth – 1 each

Awards:

Man of the Match: Alex Clare
Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC
Coaches Award: Conah Keenan

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U13’s) 58 verses THATTO HEATH CRUSADERS (U13’s) 06

HFH U13’s Team:
TBC

20 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Wigan St Judes FRIENDLY

The HFH U13’s claimed the scalp of another Premier Division team with a consecutive record breaking performance topping last week’s record score and individual tries in a match.

Billed as a friendly, the Hornets were in no mood for charity as they completely destroyed the Wigan outfit.

Alex Clare went one better than his six tries from last week, grabbing 28 points with an amazing seven tries and the “Man-Of-The-Match” award. But the Coaches award was undecided with fine performances from Conah Keenan (Top Tackler) and half backs Dean Ainsworth and Tom Murtha.

The game was only three minutes old when, after good work from props Tom Walters and Mitchell Dyas, allowed a good position to be set-up for Dean Ainsworth to put Alex Clare over.
Shortly after afterwards Jonny Wood went on a great run down the left. A couple of plays later, and Owen Pettigan scoot over from short range, Dean Ainsworth added the extras.

Wigan St Jude’s infringed with a ball steal and from the resulting penalty Alex Clare romped in from a set piece move. Three minutes later Alex Clare was over again after a lovely move from Dean Ainsworth. Tom Murtha converted both tries.

Alex Clare was soon crossing the line again, this time he created it all himself on a swerving run to the line.

The first half finished with a great try from Conah Keenan following great handling from dean Ainsworth, Tom Murtha and Owen Pettigan. Wayne Lawless made it 32 - 00 with the conversion.

Alex Clare scored again straight from the second half kick-off when Murtha found him with a neat offload. Liam Mercer converted.

Saint Jude’s were rewarded for their hard work with their first try of the match with a six pointer. The visitors started to enjoy some possession but a good defensive stint from the home side kept them at bay.
It was Tom Murtha who relieved the pressure from a turnover, scooting ninety metres and scoring an acrobatic try, with Joe Kelly slotting over the conversion.

The Wigan’ers applied more pressure and pulled back another try after a penalty for offside to make the score 44 - 10.

There then came a cracking try to hit the half century as Dean Ainsworth put in a superb chip for Tom Murtha to dribble up the field and collect his second try. Jonny Wood added the extras.

Alex Clare then added two more to complete his fantastic record but not without the help of his team-mates, as first Dean Ainsworth sent him on his way (Wayne Lawless converting), and a good interchange of passes from Tom Murtha and Matty Freeman put Alex Clare in for the finishing and final score.

Tries Scored:
Alex Clare – 7
Tom Murtha – 2
Owen Pettigan and Conah Keegan – 1 each

Conversions:
Tom Murtha and Wayne Lawless – 2 each
Dean Ainsworth, Liam Mercer, Joe Kelly and Jonny Wood – 1 each

Awards:
Man of the Match: Alex Clare
Top Tackler: Conah Keenan
Most Improved: TBC
Coaches Award: Dean Ainsworth and Tom Murtha

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U13’s) 60 verses WIGAN ST JUDE’S (U13’s) 10

HFH U13’s Team:
TBA

27 Apr 08, Halton F H v's Orrell St James

The HFH U13’s can count themselves unlucky not to have come away with another Premier division scalp after leading for most of the match only to see a late comeback by third placed Orrell.

In a great performance by the whole team it was Alex Clare and Dean Ainsworth who shared the Man of the Match Award with Mike Jones, Conah Keenan and Sam McGrory also impressing.

The visitors were shocked by the ferocity of the Hornets tackling in the opening exchanges and equally so by the whirlwind Hornets attacking game.

Alex Clare was the first to score dancing through the defence after picking up from the play the ball. Tom Murtha added the extra points.

Dean Ainsworth was rewarded with a four pointer again from another scoot and superbly twisting over the line. Then came the try of the match when Ainsworth chipped over the Orrell defence it was Sam McGrory who chased and with his first touch of the ball he collected and found the supporting Clare who did the rest, the conversion was succesful from Murtha.

The much bigger Saint James started to get back into the game as the Hornets began to tire during the latter period of the half and it was two quick-fire tries that kept them in touch, one of which was converted to make the half time score 16-10.

The opening exchanges of the second stanza were fairly even but it was Alex Clare who stretched the Hornets lead after combining with Ainsworth. Murtha slotted home the goalkick.

The next try signalled the start of Orrells’ comeback and it was after a dubious decision by the referee when play on was allowed after a forward pass on the fifth tackle which hit the ground and rolled forward at least three yards. Orrell were the first to react and on the next play a kick into the in-goal area was pounced on by Saint James. This seemed to effect the Hornets who lost their concentration which allowed Orrell to first equalise after a scoot again on the last tackle and then score a superb winner from the full back.

Hearts sunk the Hornets however tried manfully to rescue the victory in the dying minutes but the visitors defence held firm.

A superb performance from the Hornets which shows their gradual improvement from the earlier part of the season when they first came together as a team and bodes well for next seasons campaign.

Tries Scored:
Alex Clare - 3
Dean Ainsworth - 1

Conversions:
Tom Murtha - 3

Awards:
Man of the Match: Alex Clare and Dean Ainsworth
Top Tackler: TBC
Most Improved: TBC
Coaches Award: TBC

Final Score:
HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS (U13’s) 22 verses ORRELL ST JAMES (U13’s) 26

HFH U13’s Team:
TBC

29 June 08, WIGAN RUGBY LEAGUE FESTIVAL

WIGAN RUGBY LEAGUE FESTIVAL

Hosted by Orrell St James

FIRST GAME: Orrell St James (U13’s) v’s Halton Farnworth Hornets (U13’s)
SECOND GAME: Wigan St Jude’s (U13’s) v’s Halton Farnworth Hornets (U13’s)

The HFH U13’s travelled to Wigan on Sunday to take part in a Rugby League Festival and came up against Premier Division opposition.

The hosts, Orrell St. James, provided the first test and after just a few minutes took the lead when a kick on the last tackle rebounded off a Hornets defender back into the hands of the St James try scorer.

Tom Murtha levelled the scores with a great try before Alex Clare used his evasive skill to put the Hornets in front at half time.

Orrell fought back and despite some heroic tackling from the Hornets equalised with a try in the corner.

Tom Murtha scored his second after a neat kick by Dean Ainsworth to put the Hornets in front and victory looked to be theirs until the final play of the game when another kick on the last, which looked harmless, caught the Hornets right side defenders napping and allowed OSJ to snatch a draw.

The second game was another ding dong battle against Wigan St. Jude’s.

The Hornets opened the scoring when Dean Ainsworth broke the line and raced 50 metres to score. WSJ pulled one back before Conah Keenan took the score to 12 - o6 at half time.

Poor defence from the Hornets allowed WSJ to score just after half time.

Sam Osbourne powered his way over from 40 metres and then right from the restart Wayne Lawless put Conah Keenan into space to race 80 metres for a great try.

WSJ battled hard and pulled one back but Alex Clare finished them off with a well taken try.

Final scores:

ORRELL St JAMES 18 v’s HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS 18
WIGAN ST JUDES 18 v’s HALTON FARNWORTH HORNETS 30

HFH U13’s held their Presentation Evening at Birchfield Park Sports & Social Club the previous Friday and the honours were as follows:

Player of the Year - Dean Ainsworth
Players Player of the Year - Alex Clare
Coaches Award - Alex Clare
Most Consistent - Tom Murtha
Best Newcomer - Conah Keenan
Most Improved - Sam Osbourne